If we had a comparable example of what starting an IT start-up is, we think it would be the process of going into a cave with a flashlight on, expecting anything and everything, but hoping for the best. Thankfully, because of the hundreds of companies that paved the way in the cave, as mentioned earlier, we have the opportunity to learn from the mistakes and wins of others. Entrepreneurs must be comfortable with ambiguity, uncertainty, and many hurdles since start-ups are indeed a trip into a dark cave. Scarring fact here, 9 out of 10 start-ups fail, and the ones who survive and prosper are those that possess the most essential skills listed below:

Scope

The scope is the extent of the area or subject matter that something deals with or is relevant to. When beginning any journey, whether a small task or a big start-up, you have to have some vision in place of where you want to land. Ask yourself these questions: How am I monetizing my business? What amount of ROI do I expect? How do I compete with similar companies that offer the same service? This vision of where you are and where you want to be is vital for every start-up, not just an IT one, but try to stay grounded in your vision because most start-ups make the mistake of overestimating their capabilities and their scope or vision falls apart. 

Don't Give Up 

As cliche as it may sound, you may remember the picture of two men digging for gold, when one of them finds small diamonds along the way and keeps digging, while the other one quits searching right before he is about to land the biggest diamond in the mine. Aside from the simplicity of this example, it still rings true. Most start-ups give up and give in during the first stages. Currently, the United States has 31.7 million small enterprises, accounting for 99.9% of all firms in the country. Every month, many small enterprises begin their journey, yet many of them fail. The failure rate of start-ups in 2019 is over 90%. In the first year, 21.5 percent of start-ups fail, followed by 30 percent in the second, 50 percent in the fifth, and 70 percent in the tenth. Keep these numbers in mind when you think the first few years are difficult; if 80% of start-ups succeed in their first year, you can do it as well. 

Raise Those Funds

Fundraising is pretty self-explanatory, as it's any start-up's lifeline. This indicates that a lack of finance can lead to the failure of a firm. Start-ups that have adequate funds to execute their company activities are successful. A start-up CEO's principal responsibility is to raise funds for the company. Look around and research for interesting platforms, similar to Kickstarter, for start-ups and start financing the business you believe in so much. 

Time, Time, and Time

With a mountain of tasks to do and limited employees and resources, the success of a start-up is dependent on the team's productivity and ability to accomplish more with less. A wise and successful businessman once told me that having things to do would never be an issue, but deciding what to focus on and prioritize will be your business struggle. There will be struggles and you will need to allocate all your resources, but remember: Determination is what got most start-ups through their first years: Success necessitates a strong sense of resolve at all times. When it comes to starting a business, a successful start-up emphasizes the importance of perseverance and never gives up, particularly when the path gets bumpy and terrifying. There will be numerous obstacles to face, and the start-up team must be determined to conquer them.

Conclusion

It appears that the majority of firms are doomed to fail. However, there are a few essential criteria to avoid being one of the 21.5% of people that fail right away. Set Objectives, know where you need to go and where you want to go. If you're just roaming in a dark cave with no goal or map to lead you out, it will not end well. It also helps to know all there is to know about your market. Recognize what clients desire, know their earnings, ambitions, and what motivates them. The more you know about them, the better you'll be able to pitch them your IT services, be it web development or app development, research the market and seek out your potential customers.

And last but never the least: Love the work; if you don't enjoy what you're doing, you can't fake your way to passion and success. You must be enthusiastic about your business; otherwise, it will become a chore that is doomed to fail in its first few years.